Cecilia Mohácsi

Mohácsi Makes Her Mark

Freshman Cecilia Mohácsi expresses herself through horseback riding, which teaches her teamwork and perseverance.

BY KATE NOBLE REPORTER

When walking into freshman Cecilia Mohácsi’s room, soccer and very demanding sport and has risen to that challenge on every occasion.” basketball trophies don’t fill her shelves like many of her peers. Instead, Mohácsi has two lessons every week and rides three other times a week at medals and trophies from horse riding competitions and shows are proudly Seven Oaks Ranch. displayed. Replacing the normal pictures of teammates are pictures of She dedicates her time with Rupert to improving her jumping height and Mohácsi’s other half, her horse Rupert. all areas.

After traveling to Germany in third grade to visit family and witnessing “The difference between an average rider and a good rider? 5,000 hours,” her cousin Magdalena’s riding lesson, Mohácsi discovered her passion for Thornton said. “Cecilia is putting in the time. She knows that in the end, she horseback riding. will conquer whatever task she has set for herself.”

“I watched [Magdalena] ride, and I knew it was something that I wanted The hard work that Mohácsi puts into her sport during lessons has paid to do,” Mohácsi said. “I hadn’t really seen or rode horses before seeing my off in local competitions. She won medal finals at a show last year. With her cousin ride, so that was the moment when I decided to start.” achievements serving as motivation, riding teaches Mohácsi important lessons

Mohácsi began riding when she was 8 years old, and decided to stick that are applicable to other aspects of her life. with it because of her love of animals and the amount of joy she feels when she “[Riding teaches] teamwork because you have to listen to your horse, and rides. After getting her own horse, Rupert, a Quarter Horse Thoroughbred, your horse has to listen to you,” Mohácsi said. “If you don’t work together, you she’s gained an irreplaceable relationship. don’t get anything done.”

“Rupert is the first horse that I’ve ever owned. I’ve had him for about two In addition to teaching her to work with her horse, riding has also years now,” Mohácsi said. introduced Mohácsi to some of her close friends, such as Lizzy Kneibert, an

Out of all the events, jumping is Mohácsi’s favorite thing to do. The eighth grader at Overland Trail Middle School. Kneibert and Mohácsi both improvements she’s seen since getting Rupert motivate her to continue to ride at Seven Oaks and have grown close. work for more progress. “Cecilia is the sweetest person I know,” Kneibert said. “She is also such a

“I love jumping, that’s what I do,” Mohácsi said. “When I got [Rupert] I ray of sunshine, she can cheer up anyone’s day.” was only jumping two foot, and this year I’m showing three foot. I’ve jumped Her peers don’t just notice her kindness, but her determination to improve 3’3 on him. We’ve come a long way since I got him.” as well. Kneibert is impressed with Mohácsi’s ability to stay focused and her

An important aspect of riding is training. A dedicated and attentive can-do attitude, never slacking off during lessons. According to Mohácsi, the trainer is crucial to improvement. Daphne Thornton, Mohácsi’s trainer since friends she’s made since she began are one of the best benefits of riding. 2012, has witnessed her long-term improvements. “I’ve made a lot of great friends here at the barn, and I think that if I hadn’t

“[Mohácsi] has grown from a cute little girl into a lovely young woman,” ever started riding I wouldn’t have met my friends,” Mohácsi said. “I just love Thornton said. “She has accepted the physical challenge of competing in a riding so much, I don’t know what I would do if I hadn’t started.”

Mohácsi rides her horse, Rupert at Seven Oaks Ranch for practice on the weekends. “Cecilia shows her passion in the only way anyone can, really. She works at it. She rides, she listens, she learns, she thinks, she does,” Mohácsi’s trainer, Daphne Thornton said. (Photos by Kate Noble)